Mines Students Explore Modern World of STEM Research as Davis-Bahcall Scholars: Applications Open for 2026 Cohort

Three South Dakota Mines undergraduates spent this past summer immersed in global science through the prestigious Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program, a month-long exploration of the modern world of STEM research. Applications are now open for the 2026 program, offering more South Dakota students the chance to follow in their footsteps.

Christopher Budd, Wyatt Schell and Amelia Her Many Horses were among the group of young scientists who spent a month exploring STEM industries and underground labs from Lead, S.D., to the United Kingdom.

Deb Wolf, director of strategic partnerships and external relations at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), said the Davis-Bahcall program provides students with a pivotal opportunity to explore STEM fields, connect with professionals, and experience real-world research, helping them discover career options and make informed decisions about their future.

“This was one of the most unreal experiences I have ever had,” said Her Many Horses, a biology major from Oelrichs, S.D., and member of the South Dakota Army National Guard. “Seeing the labs, especially the underground labs, made me realize how much I really do not know about this world. The program was definitely a motivator for me. I would love to be able to do what I did in those four weeks for the rest of my life. The Davis-Bahcall Scholars program made me love science a lot more, and it will definitely stick with me for the rest of my life.”

Scholars spent time exploring leading STEM industries, universities and laboratories, including SURF, Fermi National Laboratory in Illinois, and Boulby Underground Laboratory in the United Kingdom.

“This was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Schell, a mechanical engineering major from McIntosh. “Seeing how science and engineering are actually used in the real world was really valuable.”

Budd, a biology and mathematics major from Rapid City, echoed Schell’s sentiments, adding that the experience was beyond what he could ever have expected.

“The main reason I applied for the Davis-Bahcall program was to hear stories and meet real scientists doing groundbreaking research in their fields; and that is exactly what the program was,” Budd said. “But it was also so much more than that. I got to live with some of the coolest, funniest and brightest people. We went to concerts, musicals, boat tours, museums and got to freely explore amazing cities like Chicago and London. I will forever remember this experience.”

Mines Professor Carter Kerk, Ph.D., said the university has a strong track record of students being selected for the Davis-Bahcall Scholar Program, including many from the university’s Tiospaye Scholar Program, which empowers Native American students to pursue STEM careers through academic, cultural and professional support. “Our former Davis-Bahcall scholars continue to mentor new applicants, continuing a strong cycle of support and achievement,” Kerk said.

The Davis-Bahcall Scholars program is designed to help students who are considering a career in STEM to develop an understanding of where their passions could take them. The program demystifies STEM careers by exposing students to what professionals do every day.

The program is named in honor of experimental physicist Ray Davis Jr. and theoretical physicist John Bahcall. Davis built a Nobel Prize-winning neutrino experiment at the 4,850-foot level of the former Homestake Mine that is now home to SURF. About 100 students have participated in the program since 2009.

The program is run by the Institute for Underground Science at SURF and sponsored by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, Black Hills State University, First PREMIER Bank, and the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.

The Davis-Bahcall Scholars program will run from Sunday, June 14, through Sunday, July 12, 2026. (Final itinerary is subject to change.) Interested students can now apply here. The application deadline is Friday, January 16, 2026.